Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob believes the franchise has finally struck gold in the NBA Draft, with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg already exceeding expectations just eight games into his career.
The 24-year-old, selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has wasted little time making an impact, averaging 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
Lendeborg’s impressive start included a career-high 37 points against the LA Clippers on Sunday, helping Golden State secure its fifth consecutive victory despite Stephen Curry sitting out.
And Lacob couldn’t be happier with the selection.
“Some teams never get it right, and we got this one right,” Lacob told 95.7 The Game on Monday. “I was 100% sold that this was the guy we wanted in the draft.”
The Warriors owner also questioned the league’s preference for younger prospects, explaining why Golden State was confident in selecting the more experienced Lendeborg.
“NBA general managers just love their 18- and 19-year-olds,” Lacob said. “We’ve all been guilty. There are some great upsides on these guys. But this guy seemed like a champion and ready to play. Everything we thought he could be he’s come in and exceeded that. He’s surprised Steve [Kerr] for sure. He doesn’t have any weaknesses.”
Lendeborg’s emergence comes after several disappointing lottery selections for the Warriors, including James Wiseman, drafted second overall in 2020, and Jonathan Kuminga, selected seventh in 2021.
Neither player remains with Golden State, something Lacob acknowledged when discussing the organization’s previous draft decisions.
“We’ve made our mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes,” Lacob said. “We didn’t get the draft exactly right or maybe we didn’t get the development right on a couple other higher draft choices in the past. Fine. Criticize us for that. But the draft is hard, guys.”
After opening the season with three consecutive losses, Golden State has now won five straight, with Lendeborg establishing himself as a key contributor on an affordable rookie contract.
And while his NBA career is only eight games old, Lacob appears convinced the Warriors have found a long-term piece of their future.
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